Waiting for the appliance industry
Neither the SRG nor the DETEC knows what the future holds for digital radio
Neither the SRG nor the Uvek know what the future holds for digital radioAround nine months ago, the SRG halted the expansion of digital radio, just six months after its launch. "Only the further expansion, but not the operation of DAB, has been suspended," clarifies Hans Strassmann, Head of Technology and IT at SRG, which means that SRG currently broadcasts up to nine channels digitally per language region (sometimes in parallel with FM), but hardly anyone is listening. Contrary to original plans, digital broadcasting (DAB) is not yet available in Ticino (see map). The situation is different in western and German-speaking Switzerland: Drivers between Geneva and Winterthur could listen to SRG programs almost continuously via DAB - but hardly anyone owns a DAB receiver. There are currently just under 2000 DAB receivers in circulation in Switzerland. The reason: the devices are expensive (around 1,000 francs) and user-unfriendly, which has so far prevented DAB from making a breakthrough.
When SRG began investing CHF 40 million in the development of a DAB transmitter network in the fall of 1999, it was assumed that the equipment industry would make faster progress in the development of simpler and cheaper devices. But DVD and mobile telephony took priority.
The SRG therefore suspended the DAB expansion last spring. Although the Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (Uvek) accepted this decision, it wants to know soon what will happen next. However, Strassmann also has to make do despite constant contact with the equipment industry, but says: "We have full confidence in DAB."
However, it is not only SRG, but also around a dozen private projects from Radio 24plus to Eviva and Radio 105 to Aldente that are waiting for DAB. According to the Uvek plans, the SRG should play DAB locomotive in terms of technology and communication and let the private broadcasters jump on the bandwagon from 2003.
However, SRG is not fulfilling this mandate. In addition, there are already too few DAB frequencies available for a total of around 20 projects. According to Strassmann, it will not be possible to negotiate whether there will be more until 2003 at an international "wave conference". Definitive decisions are not expected until 2005 at the earliest... Markus Knöpfli
When SRG began investing CHF 40 million in the development of a DAB transmitter network in the fall of 1999, it was assumed that the equipment industry would make faster progress in the development of simpler and cheaper devices. But DVD and mobile telephony took priority.
The SRG therefore suspended the DAB expansion last spring. Although the Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (Uvek) accepted this decision, it wants to know soon what will happen next. However, Strassmann also has to make do despite constant contact with the equipment industry, but says: "We have full confidence in DAB."
However, it is not only SRG, but also around a dozen private projects from Radio 24plus to Eviva and Radio 105 to Aldente that are waiting for DAB. According to the Uvek plans, the SRG should play DAB locomotive in terms of technology and communication and let the private broadcasters jump on the bandwagon from 2003.
However, SRG is not fulfilling this mandate. In addition, there are already too few DAB frequencies available for a total of around 20 projects. According to Strassmann, it will not be possible to negotiate whether there will be more until 2003 at an international "wave conference". Definitive decisions are not expected until 2005 at the earliest... Markus Knöpfli
